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Does Institutional Quality Affect Firm Performance? Insights from a Semiparametric Approach

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  • Bhaumik, Sumon K.

    (University of Sheffield)

  • Dimova, Ralitza

    (University of Manchester)

  • Kumbhakar, Subal C.

    (Binghamton University, New York)

  • Sun, Kai

    (Aston University)

Abstract

Using a novel modeling approach, and cross-country firm level data for the textiles industry, we examine the impact of institutional quality on firm performance. Our methodology allows us to estimate the marginal impact of institutional quality on productivity of each firm. Our results bring into question conventional wisdom about the desirable characteristics of market institutions, which is based on empirical evidence about the impact of institutional quality on the average firm. We demonstrate, for example, that once both the direct impact of a change in institutional quality on total factor productivity and the indirect impact through changes in efficiency of use of factor inputs are taken into account, an increase in labor market rigidity may have a positive impact on firm output, at least for some firms. We also demonstrate that there are significant intra-country variations in the marginal impact of institutional quality, such that the characteristics of "winners" and "losers" will have to be taken into account before policy is introduced to change institutional quality in any direction.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhaumik, Sumon K. & Dimova, Ralitza & Kumbhakar, Subal C. & Sun, Kai, 2012. "Does Institutional Quality Affect Firm Performance? Insights from a Semiparametric Approach," IZA Discussion Papers 6351, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp6351
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin David, 2014. "Contribution of ICT on Labor Market Polarization: an Evolutionary Approach," EconomiX Working Papers 2014-25, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    2. Rajesh Raj S.N. & Kunal Sen, 2017. "Does Institutional Quality Matter for Firm Performance? Evidence from India," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 18(2), pages 184-213, September.
    3. Jose L. Tongzon & Sang-Yoon Lee, 2016. "Achieving an ASEAN single shipping market: shipping and logistics firms’ perspective," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(4), pages 407-419, May.
    4. Craig P. Aubuchon & Subhayu Bandyopadhyay & Sumon Bhaumik, 2012. "The extent and impact of outsourcing: evidence from Germany," Review, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, vol. 94(July), pages 287-304.
    5. Ibrahim Mike Okumu & Patricia Naluwooza & Edward Bbaale, 2022. "Firm Dynamics, Job Creation and Job Destruction in Africa: Is the Quality of Institutional Environment Relevant?," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(6), pages 2970-3004, December.
    6. Benjamin David, 2014. "Contribution of ICT on Labor Market Polarization: an Evolutionary Approach," Working Papers hal-04141338, HAL.
    7. Alan Finkelstein Shapiro, 2015. "Institutions, Informal Labor Markets, and Business Cycle Volatility," Economía Journal, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association - LACEA, vol. 0(Fall 2015), pages 77-112, October.
    8. Zara Liaqat & Jeffrey Nugent, 2015. "Under-provision of private training by MENA firms: what to Do about It?," IZA Journal of Labor & Development, Springer;Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit GmbH (IZA), vol. 4(1), pages 1-29, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    institutional quality; firm performance; marginal effect; textiles industry;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C14 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Semiparametric and Nonparametric Methods: General
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth

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